Brick and tile cutting machine.



W. R. CUNNINGHAM.

BRIGK AND TILE CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED r213. 24,1908.

90:1 ,691 Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

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W. R. CUNNINGHAM. BRICK AND TILE'GUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24, 1908. 901,691 Patented 001;. 20, 1908.

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BRICK AND TILE CUTTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED r113. 24, 1908.

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UNITED srnrns PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM It. CUNNINGHAM, OF BUOYBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN CLAY MACHINERY 00., OF BUOYRUS, OIIIO, A CORPORATION.

BRICK AND TILE CUTTING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. CUNNING- HAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bucyrus, in the county of Crawford and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brick and Tile Cutting Machines, of which the following is a specification My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in machines designed to cut a bar of clay into uniform thicknesses, or lengths, after the bar issues from the forming-die of a brick machine, the particular class of machines herein illustrated being of the automatic type where a rotary reel carrying wires has a variable continuous motion, as distinguished from those machines wherein the wire comes to rest after the cutting wires pass through the bar of clay.

The present invention has particular reference to that portion of said machine which lies beyond the cutting devices and including the off-bearing mechanism.

An essential object of the present invention is to provide mechanism whereby I am enabled to obtain a higher grade or quality of brick in their green state while assing from the cutting-table to the dryingslieds or artificial driers;'and to so handle the green brick as to avoid marring the same, thus producing a better article.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism by which the off-bearing or separating belt, shall travel in correct rela tive speed with the varying travel or speed of the measuring-belt or bar of clay.

A further object is to provide a mechanism comprising a reciprocating apron and a stationary apron for causing the cut brick to be uniformly distributed on suitable pallets.

A further and essential object of the invention is to provide mechanism whereby the variable speed of the off-bearing table or carrier is governed by the variable travel of the moving bar of clay but with increased speed to separate the brick as they are distributed on the pallets.

A still further object is to provide a machine of this type or a brick cutter severing brick from a moving bar of clay, with a brick support or apron adapted to receive a pallet beneath it, and mechanism for moving the pallet forward in the direction of the bar of clay traveling in unison with the latter and Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. February 24, 1908.

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

Serial No. 417,446.

thereby depositing the cut brick uniformly on the pallets.

With these and other objects in-view, my invention consists of the parts, and the constructions, arrangements and combination of plarts which I will hereinafter describe and c aim.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and in which similar reference characters indicate like parts in the several views. Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine with a portion of the reel, gear, and track cut away. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the off-bearing portion of the machine showing a part of the cutting mechanism. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line 00-90 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a plan view, partially in section, of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view on the line z y of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation artially in section of the governor and its atliuncts. Fig. 9 is-an end elevation of the same, with the governor shaft in cross-section. Fig. 10 is a sectional detail of the long inion 41 and its sleeve 41.

While I have s own the present im rovements as identified with a brick and ti e cutting machine of a articular type and one closely resembling tl ltt of my former patent reissue 12,392, Oct. 3, 1895 and my pending application Serial No. 390,371, filed Aug. 27, 1907, I desire it to be understood that the improvements are applicable for attachment to other and different types of automatic cutting tables, therefore I do not limit the present invention to an automatic table and to operation in connection with the specific devices herein shown, particularly those portions relating to the cutting mechanism and the mechanism between the same and the receiving end of the machine, although I will refer to said automatic mechanism in a general way that the prominent features and objects of the present invention may be better rollers, 7, by which the belt is supported in its travel.

On the measuring-pulley shaft, 8, is a camgear, 9, which is designed to o erate through suitable connections, as a be l-crank lever, 10, which has three arms, as in my aforesaid application, one of these arms, 10, being connected with and adapted to reciprocate a horizontal shaft, 11, mounted on grooved rollers, 12 and 13; to the shaft 11, is also rigidly connected an arm, 14, which extends downwardly and has its lower end appropriately guided in a fixed part of the frame, said arm, 14, being designed to prevent the shaft, 11, from having axial movement.

The shaft, 11, has its opposite ends suitably mounted in frames, 15 and 16, carrying rollers, 17, 18 and 19, which support and carry a large gear-ring, 20, and a ring 21, spaced therefrom and parallel therewith, as in Fig. 1.

Spaced an equal distance apart are three bars, 22 and 23, and 24, which carry appropriate fasteners or attachments, 25, that support and secure the outer ends of the cutting wires, 26, the other ends of said wires being held by rings, 27, which are in turn held in position by vertical push-bars numbered, 1 to 8, inclusive in Fig. 1. On the bottom of these push-bars are bolted or otherwise secured suitable platens, 28, which support the bar of clay while being cut. These platens and push-bars are so spaced on the shaft, 11, as to leave the usual space between them for the passage of the wires in cptting off appropriate portions of the bar of c a Meshing with the cam-gear, 9, is a pinion, 29, (Fig. 2) which is mounted on a transverse shaft, 30, carrying a miter-gear, 31, which meshes with a corresponding gear, 32, on the end of the longitudinal shaft, 33, the opposite end of which latter shaft being provided with a governor-gear, 35, which meshes with a gear, 36, mounted loosely on the driving-shaft, 37 on which latter shaft is mounted the driving-pulley, 38, which is adapted to receive motive power from any suitable source.

The shafts, 33 and 37, and the gears, 35 and 36, as well as the governor, 39, and its associated parts are substantially like the corresponding parts shown and described in my aforesaid reissued Patent 12,392, and which I will now describe that a better understanding of the novel features of the present improvement may be obtained.

Loosely mounted on the shaft, 37, is an elongated pinion, 41, to the end of which is appropriately bolted a plate-flange, 40, to w iich in turn is bolted a split or expansible ring, a, having a spring, I), located between its separated or split ends. By bolting one end of this split-ring, the remaining portion of the ring is capable of being expanded into contact with the contiguous inner wall or surface of a stationary brake-band, c. To the aforesaid flange, 40, is also secured a second split-ring, d, which lies interior to the ring, a, and is provided with a centrally-disposed lug, e, through which passes a bolt, f, by which said second ring is secured in place, said lug being located on the ring midway between or opposite to the point where the ring is split or severed. The split ends of the second ring, d, are formed or rovided with the lugs or projections, g, whic are designed to be embraced by a stirrup, h, of appropriate construction, said stirrup having a forked or open end within which is pivotallymounted a curved lever, i, the short arm of which operates against one of the lugs, 9, while the longer arm extends within the range of action of a suitable operating-cam surface, as I will hereinafter indicate. The position of the lever, i, may be adjusted when desired by means of a set-screw, j, mounted in the opposite end of the stirrup.

A curved lever-arm, m, is disposed on the opposite side of the cam-gear, 36, and has one end pivoted in the fixed end of the split ring, a, and the opposite end extending into the range of action of a cam, hereinafter mentioned, said levers, i, and on, extending in opposite directions, as shown.

Securely bolted to the base-frame is the stationary friction-band, c, and keyed to the aforesaid driving-sh aft, 37, is a frictiondriver, 90, in the form of a flanged disk having a plain fiat face provided with a frictional surface, which may be of leather or other appropriate material. Opposing the friction-driver, p, is the corresponding face of the gear, 36, which is formed rigid with a disk, E, having atone side an extending cam, E, and having at the opposite side a cam, E said gear being loosely-mounted on the shaft, 37, and said disk, which in fact, is a part of the gear, having its face opposing the friction-surface of the driver and adapted to be pressed thereagainst by means of a spring, 1", coiled around the shaft, 37, and

confined between a wearing-collar and springseat, 8, and an adjusting-collar, t, for regulating the tension of the spring and the pressure of the friction-surface of the cam-gear against the opposing friction-driver. The cam-disk of gear, 36, is, as before stated, provided with cams or inclines, E and E and the long arm of the aforesaid lever, 71, eX- tends into the range of action of the cam or incline, E, whereby said lever is operated to contract the splitring, (1, when the incline rides under the end of the lever which lever may have a laterally-projecting pin or projection, i thereby gripping the friction driver 29 The other cam, E of the camdisk is also designed to ride under the end of the lever, m, or a pin therein to expand the split-ring, a, against the inner surface of the stationary band, 0, as I will hereinafter describe.

Mounted for ion itudinal movement on the shaft, 37, is a col ar, a, whose position on the shaft may be fixed at any suitable point by means of a set-screw, whereby the elongated pinion is held in its proper position. The friction-driver, 12, serves as an end stop or abutment for the flange, 40, and thereby limits the end movement of the pinion, 41, in that direction.

In register with the cam-gear, 36, is a driving-gear, 35, fixed on the governor-shaft, 33, before described, which gear, 35, is actuated by the gearing of the measuring-table section of the machine, before described.

The operation of these parts is fully disclosed in my aforesaid Reissue Patent No. 12,392, Oct. 3, 1905 and a detailed description of the same is not thought to be necessary in the present specification, but the general description of the machine, as thus far described, is as follows :-The bar of clay issuing from the die of the brick machine, not

- shown, is received on the measuring-belt, 4,

which governs the speed of the wire-reel, 20, through the governor, 39. The power necessary to drive the cutting-reel is obtained from a suitable plant and drives the pulley, 38, and shaft, 37, and the live-friction, p, in the governor, 39. As the bar of clay has a variable movement, as is well understood in this art, the variable travel or speed of the bar must necessarily regulate the operation of the cutting-devices, and as the gear, 9, is

provided with cams, 42 and 43, which operate the triple bell-crank lever, 10, this in turn reciprocates the shaft, 11, with all of the parts thereto attached.

Having reference to Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 which are enlarged views of that portion of the machine beyond the cutting devices and which contain the salient features of the present invention, I will now describe the same in detail.

As before described, the long pinion, 41, is loosely mounted on the driving-shaft, 37, and is operated by the governor, 39, the shaft extending through this pinion to a suitable bearing, 44, which supports its outer end. The pinion, 41, is formed or provided with a long sleeve, 41, to the end of which is attached a pinion, 46, which meshes with and drives a gear, 47, mounted on the shaft, 48, arranged parallel with the driving-shaft and having its opposite portions j ournaled in suitable bearings, 49 and 50 of a suitable yoke or frame, 54. On the shaft, 48, is also secured a bevel-pinion, 51, which engages and drives a corresponding gear, 52, mounted on a shaft, 53, which is supported in bearings, and 55, said shaft, 53, carrying also a pair of spaced sprocket-wheels, 56 and 57, around or over which pass drive-link chains, 58.

At the delivery end of the off-bearing portion of the machine are parallel spaced standards forming a fixed support, 59, for this end of the machine, said standards being similar and having horizontal slots or openings, 67, adapted to slidably receive the journal-boxes, 63 and 64, for the shaft, 62, said boxes being adjusted horizontally in said openings by suitable screws, 65 and 66, to take up slack or looseness in the drive-chain.

To the standards or support, 59, at the delivery end of the off-bearing table, are attached by bolts or otherwise, one end of angle-iron rails, 68 and 69, said rails extending longitudinally and parallel with the rat e1 of the drive-belt and hating their opposite or inner ends bolted or otherwise secured to an adjustable frame, 70. The rails are also provided, at intervals with small castings or bearings, 71, for the journalends of rollers, 72, which are arranged to support the upper run or member of the drive-linkchain; while various forms of carrying belts may be used in this part of my machine, the one which I prefer to use but to which I do not limit the present invention, is constructed substantially as follows :The belt includes link-chains at the side edges of a leather, canvas, rubber or other flexible strip or belt, 7 5, the links of the chains being provided with lugs 73, 74, to which the side portions of the flexible belt are riveted, said flexible belt, 75, having transverse strips or cleats, 76, bolted or riveted to its outer surface at intervals, to engage and carry suit able pallets, as I will presently disclose.

Immediately above the link-chains, 58, is a stationary table or apron, 77, of suitable length which extends longitudinally of the machine and parallel with the travel of the upper run of the belt, 75, and has its opposite portions suitably supported by brackets or supports, 78 and 79, the said bracket, 78, being secured to one of the side angle-rails, 69, and extending above and across the belt, 75, "so as to provide an opening, 80, on the opposite side of the belt. The other supporting bracket, 79, is fixed to and extends above the vertically-adjustable frame 70.

As it is necessary to make pallets of different thicknesses or using cleats of different dimensions, provision should be made for a vertical adjustment of the off-bearing table. Therefore, the holes provided for the bolts which secure the hangers, 78, to the side rail, 69, are shown elongated to enable the said adjustment to be obtained.

The projection shown on the frame, 70, has elongated holes for a similar adjustment. The yoke or piece, 54, which carries the shaft of the gear, 52, is bolted to a distance-piece, 95, (Fig. 5) which is bolted to the base, 1, and the bolt-holes in said yoke are elongated so that the yoke or piece, can be raised and lowered. It will also be noted that the bearing, 55, is provided with holes, 96,

onto the off-bearing belt, above the line or table, 77.

plane of the top surface of which the upper ends of the pallet-supports also terminate, to admit the cleats that are shown, in Fig. 4, as being secured on the under sides of the pallets.

The distance between the top of the belt, 75, and the under side of the stationary table, 77, is sufficient to admit the pallet with its cleats.

The pallet, 83, is of suitable form having the aforesaid and equally spaced end and intermediate cleats, 84, 85 and 86, for holding the pallet together, said pallet being adapted and designed to receive the bricks which have been severed from the bar of clay by the cutting devices.

The cleats, 76, on the flexible carryingbelt, 75, are also spaced an equal distance apart, which distance in practice is about equal to the total length of a pallet, 83, plus a space shown at A in Fig. 4.

The outer end of the longitudinally-extending and reciprocating shaft, 11, is appropriately supported in a hanger, 87, having an arm, 88, through the end of which passes the threaded end of a vertically-adjusted screw-rod, 90, which forms a hanger for one end of a horizontally-disposed apron, 91, said apron being parallel with and-lying slightly above the plane of the stationary As the apron, 91, is thus con nected with the shaft, 1 1, it reciprocates with the latter, and said apron is made of sheetmetal reinforced by angle-iron pieces, 92 and 93, to stiffen the same. The opposite end of the reciprocating apron, 91, is attached to the final platen, 8, of the series of platens shown, said apron, 91, affording means for carrying the brick after they are cut from the platens onto the stationary table, 77.

It will be thus seen that with this improved mechanism the off-bearing belt, 75, has an irregular speed governed by the moving bar of clay. It is essential in these machines to maintain a fixed ratio of speed between the measuring-belt 4, and the 0dbearing belt, 75, in order that the brick may be spaced an equal distance apart on the pallets as the belt carries the pallet out from the table.

The operation of the off-bearing belt and parts herein referred to as constituting the essential features of the present invention, is as follows :V, hen power is communicated to the pulley, 38, the latter drives the shaft, 37, which in turn drives the live-friction, p, that is keyed to the shaft and is located in and forms a part of the governor, 39. As the bar of clay emerges from the die of the brick-machine and is received on the measuring-belt, 4, the movement of the bar of clay permits the long pinion, 41, to turn, said pinion being governed by the aforesaid governor, 39, and the train of gears extending from the gear, 36, back to the measuring-drum. As the long pinion, 41, revolves it imparts revolution to the reel, 20, and thereby causes the latter to carry the cutting-wires between the platens and push-bars with which these machines are usually supplied whereby the wire severe the bar of clay into brick, the said brick then passing from the reciprocating-apron, 91, onto the stationary table, 7 5, and from this the brick passes onto the pallets as the latter emerge from under the stationary table, 77 As the pinion, 41 is provided with a sleeve, 45, it is manifest that the sleeve revolves with the pinion and gives motion to the pinion, 46, and the gear, 47, which is mounted on the shaft, 48, which in turn revolves the beveled pinion, 51, and beveled gear, 52, which is mounted on the shaft, 53, which carries the sprocket-wheels, 56 and 57, of the off-carrying belt, the said sprocket-wheels being designed to engage the links of the drive-chains, 58 and 58, to which is riveted the flexible belt, 75, before mentioned. 9 It will be noticed from the construction and arrangement of these parts that whenever the bar of clay moves or varies in its travel the belt, 75, registers in its relative speed. The speed of the belt, 75, is designed to be sufficiently faster than that of the measuring-belt, 4, to space the brick as shown at BBB, in Fig. 4, and there fore the necessity of driving the off-bearing table from the long pinion, 41, as shown in the present drawings instead of from .the shaft, 37, as in my said former patent and application. It will also be noticed that by driving the off-bearing table from the long pinion, 41, instead of from the shaft, 37,, I receive the same corresponding speed of the off-bearing table in relation to the variable movement of the measuring-belt, which is governed by the irregular travel of the moving bar of clay. As it is necessary to make pallets of different thicknesses or using cleats of different dimensions, it is necessary to make the off-bearing table with a vertical adjustment, therefore, the holes provided for the bolts to secure the hangers, 78, to the side rail 69 are elongated. This allows me to adjust the hanger support for the sta issues from the die of the brick-machine.

tionary table. It will also be observed that the up-turned or projecting rear end of the frame, 70, is provided with vertically elongated holes for a similar adjustment.

It is important to note that in this invention the bar of clay varies in its speed in traveling over the cutter. This variation is due to uneven feeding of the clay into the brick machines, the variation of the amount of water mixed with the clay while tempering, and change of the nature of the clay due to the mechanical construction of the different stratas in the clay-bank. The cutter automatically adjusts itself to these varying conditions and the measuring-belt travels in correct register with the travel of the bar of clay, and the off-bearing table must change its relative speed or travel so that the brick will be appropriately spaced on the pallets. This is an essential feature of my present invention, namely, the off-bearing or separating belt, traveling in correct relative speed with the varying travel or speed of the measuring-belt and bar of clay.

The combination of a reciprocating-a ron and a stationary-apron to cause the bric s to be uniformly distributed on the pallets, is also important because if the stat1onary-table is dispensed with the brick are carried with the reciprocating apron while the wires are passing through the bar of clay, and when the apron reverses its travel the brick are deposited on the pallets or belt in groups, while the use of the stationary-table with the reciprocating-apron the brick are deposited on the pallets an equal distance apart and according to the travel of the bar of clay asIit 11 other words, the moving column of clay pushes the brick ofl of the stationary-apron or table, 77, according to the speed thatvthe bar of clay is traveling, omitting the stationary-table when the reciprocating apron, 91, is traveling with the carriage; while the wires are passing through the bar of clay there are no brick being deposited on the belt, 75, but when the carriage reverses its motion it delivers the brick in groups, while with the stationary-table the bar of clay pushes the brick ofi of said table at regular intervals according to the speed of said bar, and spaces the brick according to the difference of the travel of the belt, 75, and the measuring belt. By this movement I am able to lace the pallets on the belt, 75, on which t e cleats, 76, are secured at regular intervals and which pallets are placed under the stationary table or apron, and as the belt, 75, drags the pallets from under the table the brick are distributed an equal distance apart upon the pallet, and by this method the workmen are not reuired to handle the brick when they are in t eir soft plastic condition.

The pallets containing the brick are finally removed and placed on cars or trucks and taken into a suitable drier as is well known in this art.

In order to ermit the air to circulate between the bric so that they will dry appropriately and so that the men can remove the brick from the pallets, said brick must be spaced to enable the men to get their fingers between them. This makes it necessary to cause the ofi'-bearing belt carrying the pallets to travel sufliciently faster to spread the brick.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a machine of the character described, the combination with clay-measuring mechanism, clay-cutting mechanism, and a governing-mechanism for causing the cuttingmechanism to revolve substantially in register with and by the travel of the bar of clay, of an off-bearing or separating conveyer, and mechanism between the same and the governing-mechanism for causing the conveyer to travel in correct relative s eed with the varying travel or speed of t e measuringmechanism and bar of clay.

2. In a machine of the character described the combination with clay-measuring mechanism, clay-cutting mechanism and a governing-mechanism, said mechanism being 0 erable by the variable travel of the bar of c ay, of an off-bearing conveyer, and means for maintaining a fixed ratio of speeds between the measuring-mechanism and the said conveyer for spacing the cut-brick suitable distances apart on the conveyer.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination with clay-measuring mechanism, clay-cutting devices, and a governingmechanism for causing the cutting-devices to operate substantially in register with the varying travel of the bar of clay, of an offbearing traveling conveyer, and means governed by the moving bar of clay for imparting to the conveyer the irregular speed of said bar of clay.

4. Machines of the character described having a measuring belt at the receiving end of the machine, an oil-bearing belt at the delivery end of the machine, cutting and governing mechanisms arranged between the two belts, and means for maintaining a fixed ratio of speeds between said belts in harmony with the variable travel of the bar of clay.

5. A brick and tile cutting machine having a measuring-belt upon which the bar of clay is received, clay-cutting mechanism operatively connected with the measuring-belt, governing mechanism for causing the cutting devices to operate substantially in register with the varying travel of the bar of clay, an oft-bearing belt, and connections between the same and the governing-mechanism for causing the ofl bearing belt to respond to variations in the movement or travel of the bar of clay.

6. A brick and tile cutting machine having a measuring-belt upon which the bar of clay is received, clay-cutting mechanism operatively connected with the measuring-belt, governing mechanism for causing the cutting devices to operate substantially in register with the varying travel of the bar of clay, an off-bearing belt, connections between the same and the governing-mechanism for causing the ofl-bearing belt to respond to variations in the movement of travel of the bar of clay, and means for accelerating the speed of the cit-bearing belt to space the deposited brick thereon suitable distances apart.

7. In machines of the character described, the combination of clayieasuring mechanism, clay-cutting devices, and a governingmechanism for causing the cutting devices to operate substantially in register with the varying travel of the bar of clay, said governing-mechanism including a fixed drivefriction and a loose friction operable together in the same direction and said loose friction yieldable relative to the driveefriction under the variations of the travel of the bar of clay, a clutch-mechanism controlled by the loose friction and actuating to grip the drive-friction with a pressure which automatically responds to and varies with the travel of the bar of clay, a long pin ion loosely mounted relative to the drivefriction and carrying the clutch-mechanism,

an cit-bearing belt beyond the cuttin -mechanism adapted to receive the cut brick, and connections between said oft-bearing belt and said loose pinion for causing the former to res 0nd to variations in the movement or trave of the bar of clay.

8. In machines of the character described, the combination of cutting-mechanism, an ofi bearing conveyer, and superposed reciprocating and stationary aprons, said reciprocating apron adapted to receive the brick from the cutting-mechanism and said stationary apron adapted to receive the brick from the reciprocating apron and deliver the same upon the conveyor.

9. In machines of the character described having a cutting-mechanism a reciprocating apron upon which the cut brick are delivered and an oil-bearing belt, a stationary apron interposed between and parallel with the reciprocating apron and the upper run of the belt and from which stationary apron the moving column of clay pushes the brick onto said oft-bearing belt.

10. In machines of the character described, the combination of a cutting-mechanism, an apron reciprocable parallel with the column of clay and adapted to receive brick from said mechanism, an elf-bearing belt, and means for causing the same to respond to variations in the travel of the bar of clay, said belt having spaced cleats fixed across it, and a stationary apron between and parallel with the belt and the reciprocating apron and from which the bar of clay pushes the brick onto the belt.

11. In machines of the character described, the combination, of a cutting-mechanism, an apron reciprocable parallel with the bar of clay and adapted to receive the brick from said mechanism, an oii-bearing belt having spaced cleats, a stationary apron arranged in a plane below that of the firstnamed apron and above the plane of the upper run of the belt, and pallets insertible under the stationary apron and upon the belt and adapted to receive the brick pushed off the end of the stationary apron by the moving bar of clay.

12. In machines of the character described, the combination of a measuring mechanism, a cutting-mechanism, an oil"- bearing belt, and complementary mechanism for governing the cutting-mechanism and also regulating the speed of the off-bearing'belt according to the variable travel ol the bar of clay.

13. In machines of the character de scribed, an oil-bearing table, a pallet carried thereby, and means governing the table by the variable travel of a moving bar of clay but with increased speed whereby the brick are separated while being deposited on the table.

14. In machines of the a character described the combination of clay-cutting mechanism; a reciprocable apron upon which the brick are received from said mechanism; a stationary apron below said reciprocable apron; a pallet insertible below the stationary apron; and means for advancing the pallet forward in the direction of the travel of the bar of clay and substantially in unison therewith.

15. In machines of the character described, the combination of clay-cutting mechanism; a reciprocable apron upon which the brick are delivered from the cutting mechanism; a stationary apron upon which the brick are received from the first-named apron; an oil-bearing belt; and a pallet; said belt having transverse cleats fixed to it and said pallet having transverse cleats to regis ter with and be engaged by the cleats on the belt.

16. In machines of the character described, the combination of clay-cutting mechanism; a reciprocable apron upon which the brick are received from the cutting mechanism; a stationary apron u on which said brick are received from t 1e first-named apron; a carrier operable below the stationary apron, and having a pallet which is movable thereunder and adapted to receive the brick pushed off the stationary apron as the pallet emerges from beneath the same; and means for vertically adjusting the carrier to compensate for pallets of different thicknesses.

17. In machines of the character described, the combination of clay-cutting mechanism a reciprocable a ron upon which the brick are received from tlie cutting mechanism; a stationary apron u on which said brick are received from t e first-named apron; a carrier operable below the stationary apron, and having a pallet which is movable thereunder and ada ted to receive the brick pushed off the stationary apron as the pallet emerges from beneath the same; and means for vertically adjusting the carrier to compensate for pallets of different thicknesses, said means comprising a frame hav ing elongated o enings and securing bolts, and vertically-a justing screws engaging the frame.

18. In machines of the character described, the combination of a stationary table upon which the brick are pushed by the moving bar of clay, a carriage operable below the apron and having transverse cleats fixed to it, hangers for the apron one of said hangers being secured at one side of the carrier to a fixed part and constructed to provide an o ening at the other side of the carrier, for t e admission of a pallet, a pallet-su port proximate to said opening, a guided rame supporting the receiving portion of the car rier, and vertically disposed adjustingscrews for raising and lowering the frame to compensate for pallets of different thicknesses.

19. Machines of the character described having in combination a driving-shaft, claymeasuring mechanism, clay-cutting mechanism, a governing-mechanism for causing the cutting-devices to continuously revolve in register with and by the travel of the bar of clay, said governor-meohanism including a 'long pinion loose on the driving-shaft, and

comp ementary friction and clutch devices, an off-bearing belt beyond the cutting devices, and driving connections between said belt and the long pinion for driving the belt from the pinion in contradistinction from the driving shaft whereby the said belt responds to the irregular speed of the bar of clay.

20. In machines of the character described, the combination of a driving-shaft, claymeasuring mechanism, claycutting mechanism, a governing-mechanism for causing the cutting-devices to continuously revolve in register with and by the travel of the bar of clay, said governing-mechanism comprising complementary clutch-mechanism and along pinion loose on the driving-shaft and carrying a driven-part of the clutch-mechanism,

an off-bearing belt beyond the cutting-devices and upon which the brick are deposited, and gearing between the long inion and the off-bearing belt for operating t e latter from the pinion so that the belt will respond to variations in the movement of the travel of the bar of clay.

21. In machines of the character described having clay-measuring mechanism, clay-cutting devices, and an off-bearing belt, the combination with a drive-shaft and a governor thereon and constructed to cause the cutting devices to continuously revolve in register with and by the travel of the bar of clay, said governor comprisin fixed and loose frictionmembers and comp ementary clutch-devices and a long pinion fixed to one of said frictiondevices and loosely mounted on the driveshaft, a sleeve fixed to the pinion and extending along said shaft, a pinion fixed to the sleeve, and gearing between said last-named pinion and the oii-bearing belt for operating the latter from the long pinion in contradistinction from the driving-shaft whereby the off-bearing belt res onds to variations in the movement or trave of the bar of clay.

22. In machines of the character described, the combinationwith clay-measuring devices, clay-cutting mechanism and governing-mechanism controlled by the travel of the bar of clay, of an off-bearing belt beyond the cutting devices and means connecting said belt with a member of the governor-mechanism whereby the belt is operated from the overnor as distinguished from the driving-s aft of the machine.

23. In machines of the character described, the combination with a measuring-belt which is operated by the variable movements or travel of the bar of clay, and an off-bearing belt, of cutting-mechanism between the two belts, governing-mechanism for controlling the cutting-mechanism and causing the latter to continuousl revolve in register with and by the trave of the bar of clay, and means for causin the off-bearing belt to travel in correct re ative speed with the vary ing travel or speed of the measuring-belt and bar of clay.

24. In machines of the character described, havin a cutting-mechanism and an off-bearing be t, the combination with a reciprocating apron connecting with the cutting mechanism and overlying the receiving end of said belt, and a stationary apron beneath the reciprocating apron and adapted to uniformly distribute the brick upon said belt.

25. In machines of the character described having cutting-mechanism including cuttingwires and push-bars and platens, and a reciprocating shaft carrying the cutting-mechupper run of the belt and adapted to uni anism and its platens and push-bars, an forlnly distribute the brick upon the latter. 10 apron. operable in unison with the reciproca- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature tions of said shaft and adapted to receive the in presence of tWo Witnesses.

I brick from the platens, an off-bearing belt l/VILLIAM R. CUNNINGHAM.

arranged. With its upper run on a lower level Witnesses: than said apron, and a stationary apron SAMUEL E' AUCK,

parallel With the reciprocating apron and G. M. HOOVER. 

